News
U.S. urged to be more vigorous in protecting religious freedom globally
"Religious persecution is festering and exploding around the world. What has been unconscionable for decades, centuries, has gotten worse," Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, said May 12 in remarks at the World Summit in Defense of Persecuted Christians.
Pope wants synod dedicated to people in Amazon, archbishop says
Although the church has continued to assist the native populations in the Amazon, which occupies 63 percent of Peru, efforts must continue "to revitalize" the church and its work in the region, said Archbishop Salvador Pineiro Garcia-Calderon of Ayacucho.
Vatican finance watchdog intensifies outreach to foreign authorities
The Vatican's financial watchdog agency has beefed up its investigations with increased outreach to foreign authorities in a continued effort to prevent suspected money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
Bishops put U.K.’s future at top of list of election issues
In a two-page letter published May 15, the bishops reminded Catholics of their duty to vote and advised voters to question politicians seeking their support on a range of 10 key issues.
World Youth Day logo shows symbols for Mary, Panama
The design by Amber Calvo, 20, a Panamanian student studying architecture, was chosen from 103 entries submitted for the event that will take place Jan. 22-27, 2019.
Mary’s message at Fatima still timely, urgent 100 years later, says panel
Before an audience of more than 600 people, speakers explored the peacemaking roles of women, children and religious leaders at the event organized by the Holy See Mission to the United Nations.
Reports say Callista Gingrich will be nominated as Vatican ambassador
UPDATED - The New York Times and CNN reported May 14 that the official announcement of the nomination is waiting to be approved by the Office of Government Ethics.
Texas bill to protect conscience of child services workers draws praise
The bill, written by Republican Rep. James Frank, allows organizations and individuals "with sincerely held religious beliefs to remove themselves from actions in direct violation of their faith."
Archdiocese launches website about U.S. priest who will be beatified
The stanleyrother.org website tells the story of the U.S. priest who worked in Guatemala for 14 years until he was murdered there in 1981.
Shelter to offer trafficking victims a safe haven, life and job skills
As testimony to the importance he places on what he calls modern "human slavery," the pope dispatched one of his top advisers, Bishop Marcelo Sanchez-Sorondo, to Baton Rouge for the dedication of Metanoia Manor, a one-of-a-kind shelter for young trafficking victims.